Co2 Recovery System And Method

ABSTRACT

A CO 2  recovery system includes an absorption tower and a regeneration tower. CO 2  rich solution is produced in the absorption tower by absorbing CO 2  from CO 2 -containing gas. The CO 2  rich solution is conveyed to the regeneration tower where lean solution is produced from the rich solution by removing CO 2 . A regeneration heater heats lean solution that accumulates near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower with saturated steam thereby producing steam condensate from the saturated steam. A steam-condensate heat exchanger heats the rich solution conveyed from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower with the steam condensate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a CO₂ recovery system and method for achieving energy saving.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years the greenhouse effect due to CO₂ has been pointed out as one of causes of the global warming, and a countermeasure against it is urgently required internationally to protect global environment. CO₂ sources range various fields of human activities, including burning of fossil fuels, and demands to suppress their CO₂ emission from these sources are on constant increase. In association with this, people have energetically studied means and methods for suppressing emission of CO₂ from power generation facilities such as power plants which use an enormous amount of fossil fuels. One of the methods includes bringing combustion exhaust gas of boilers into contact with an amine-based CO₂-absorbing solution. This method allows removal and recovery of CO₂ from the combustion exhaust gas. Another method includes storing recovered CO₂, i.e., not returning the recovered CO₂ to the atmosphere.

Various methods are known to remove and recover CO₂ from combustion exhaust gas using the CO₂-absorbing solution. One of the methods includes contacting the combustion exhaust gas with the CO₂-absorbing solution in an absorption tower, heating an absorbing solution having absorbed CO₂ in a regeneration tower, and releasing CO₂, regenerating the absorbing solution, and circulating the regenerated absorbing solution to the absorption tower again to be reused (Patent document 1).

Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application. Laid-Open No. H7-51537

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

In the conventional method, however, the steps of removing, and recovering CO₂ from CO₂-containing gas are provided additionally in combustion facilities, and hence, the operation costs should be reduced as much as possible. Particularly, among the processes, a regenerating process consumes a large amount of heat energy, and therefore, the regenerating process needs to be provided as an energy saving process as much as possible.

The present invention has been achieved to solve the problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a CO₂ recovery system and method in which an energy efficiency is further improved.

Means for Solving Problem

To solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a CO₂ recovery system including an absorption tower that contacts CO₂-containing gas with a CO₂-absorbing solution to remove CO₂ and a regeneration tower that regenerates a rich solution having absorbed CO₂, and reusing a lean solution, obtained by removing CO₂ from the rich solution in the regeneration tower, in the absorption tower, comprising a regeneration heater that extracts the lean solution recovered near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower to the outside, and heat-exchanges the lean solution with saturated steam; and a steam-condensate heat exchanger that heats the rich solution to be supplied to the regeneration tower or heats a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, with residual heat of steam condensate fed from the regeneration heater, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from a middle portion of the regeneration tower.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the steam-condensate heat exchanger is interposed in a rich-solution supply pipe for feeding a rich solution from the absorption tower, and a flash drum is provided in either an upstream side or a downstream side of the steam-condensate heat exchanger.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the second aspect, the CO₂ recovery system further includes a branching node provided in the rich-solution supply pipe and dividing a rich solution; a steam-condensate heat exchanger that is provided in a first rich-solution supply pipe, and heats the rich solution; a flash drum provided in the downstream side of the steam-condensate heat exchanger; and a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in a second rich-solution supply pipe, and heats the rich solution with residual heat of a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the flash drum.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the CO₂ recovery system further includes a branching node provided in a rich-solution supply pipe and dividing a rich solution; a steam-condensate heat exchanger that is provided in an end of a first rich-solution supply pipe, and flashes the rich solution; and a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in a second rich-solution supply pipe, and heats the rich solution with residual heat of a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the steam-condensate heat exchanger. An end of a semi-lean-solution supply pipe for supplying the semi-lean solution is connected to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, the steam-condensate heat exchanger that flashes the rich solution includes a flash drum in which a flash portion, for flashing the rich solution, is provided in its upper side, a filling layer provided in the flash drum, and a steam supply unit provided in a lower portion of the flash drum and supplying steam obtained from steam condensate.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the CO₂ recovery system further includes an upper-portion regeneration tower and a lower-portion regeneration tower obtained by dividing the regeneration tower into upper and lower portions; a branching node provided in a rich-solution supply pipe and dividing a rich solution; a steam-condensate heat exchanger interposed in a first rich-solution supply pipe branched; and a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in a second rich-solution supply pipe, and heats the rich solution with residual heat of a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the upper-portion regeneration tower. The first rich-solution supply pipe is connected to the lower-portion regeneration tower, and an end of the second rich-solution supply pipe is connected to the upper-portion regeneration tower, and an end of a semi-lean-solution supply pipe for supplying the semi-lean solution is connected to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of first to sixth aspects, the CO₂ recovery system further includes a lean-solution heat exchanger that is interposed in a rich-solution supply pipe, and heats the rich solution with residual heat of a lean solution fed from the regeneration tower.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the CO₂ recovery system further includes an upper-portion regeneration tower, a middle-portion regeneration tower, and a lower-portion regeneration tower obtained by dividing the regeneration tower into upper, middle, and lower portions; a branching node-provided in a rich-solution supply pipe and dividing a rich solution; a lean-solution heat exchanger interposed in a first rich-solution supply pipe branched; a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in a second rich-solution supply pipe, and heats the rich solution with residual heat of a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the upper-portion regeneration tower; and a steam-condensate heat exchanger that extracts a semi-lean solution, obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the middle-portion regeneration tower, to the outside of the regeneration tower, and heats the semi-lean solution. An end of the first rich-solution supply pipe is connected to the middle-portion regeneration tower, and an end of a supply pipe for supplying the semi-lean solution is connected to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the regeneration tower is divided into at least two stages, and the CO₂ recovery system further includes a steam-condensate heat exchanger that heats a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, with residual heat of the steam condensate, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from an upper stage side of the regeneration tower divided, wherein the semi-lean solution heated is supplied to a lower stage side of the regeneration tower.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the regeneration tower is divided into at least two stages, and the CO₂ recovery system further includes a steam-condensate heat exchanger that heats a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, with residual heat of the steam condensate, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from an upper stage side of the regeneration tower divided; and a lean-solution heat exchanger interposed in a rich-solution supply pipe, the lean-solution heat exchanger supplying the semi-lean solution heated to a lower stage side of the regeneration tower and heating the rich solution with residual heat of the lean solution fed from the regeneration tower.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the regeneration tower is divided into at least two stages, and the CO₂ recovery system further includes a steam-condensate heat exchanger that heats a, semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, with residual heat of the steam condensate, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from an upper stage side of the regeneration tower divided; a lean-solution heat exchanger interposed in a rich-solution supply pipe, the lean-solution heat exchanger supplying the semi-lean solution heated to a lower stage side of the regeneration tower and heating the rich solution with residual heat of the lean solution fed from the regeneration tower; a first branching node provided in the rich-solution supply pipe and dividing the rich solution; a first lean-solution heat exchanger interposed in a first rich-solution supply pipe branched at the first branching node; a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in a second rich-solution supply pipe branched at the first branching node, and heats the rich solution with residual heat of a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the upper-portion regeneration tower; a second lean-solution heat exchanger in which a joint solution joined between the first rich-solution supply pipe and the second rich-solution supply pipe is heat-exchanged after heat exchange is performed in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger; a second branching node provided in the downstream side of the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger; and a steam-condensate heat exchanger interposed in a first semi-lean-solution supply pipe branched at the second branching node. An end of the first semi-lean-solution supply pipe is connected to a lower stage side of the regeneration tower, and an end of a second semi-lean-solution supply pipe branched at the second branching node is connected to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the regeneration tower is divided into at least two stages, and the CO₂ recovery system further includes a lean-solution heat exchanger that heats a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, with residual heat of the lean solution fed from the regeneration tower, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from an upper stage side of the regeneration tower divided, wherein the lean solution heated is supplied to a lower stage side of the regeneration tower.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the CO₂ recovery system further includes a first lean-solution heat exchanger that heats a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, with residual heat of the lean solution fed from the regeneration tower, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from an upper stage side of the regeneration tower divided, and the first lean-solution heat exchanger being arranged next to a steam-condensate heat exchanger; and a second lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in a rich-solution supply pipe and heats the rich solution with residual heat of the lean solution obtained after the semi-lean solution is heated.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the CO₂ recovery system further includes an upper-portion regeneration tower, a middle-portion regeneration tower, and a lower-portion regeneration tower obtained by dividing the regeneration tower into upper, middle, and lower portions; a first lean-solution heat exchanger that heats a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, with the lean solution fed from the regeneration tower, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from the upper-portion regeneration tower; a first steam-condensate heat exchanger that heats a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, with the steam condensate, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from the middle-portion regeneration tower; a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in a rich-solution supply pipe, and heats the rich solution with the part of the semi-lean solution extracted from the middle-portion regeneration tower; and a second lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the downstream side of the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger in the rich-solution supply pipe, and heats the rich solution with residual heat of the lean solution obtained after the semi-lean solution is heated. The semi-lean solution respectively heated is supplied to the lower stage side in the regeneration tower, and the semi-lean solution, after being heat-exchanged in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger, is supplied to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fourth, fifth, eighth, eleventh, and fourteenth aspects, the absorption tower is divided into two stages: upper and lower stages, and the semi-lean solution to be supplied to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower is jointed with a semi-lean solution extracted from the upper-stage absorption tower, to be supplied to the lower-stage absorption, tower.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention relates to a CO₂ recovery system including an absorption tower that contacts CO₂-containing gas with a CO₂-absorbing solution to remove CO₂ and a regeneration tower that regenerates a rich solution having absorbed CO₂, and reusing a lean solution, obtained by removing CO₂ from the rich solution in the regeneration tower, in the absorption tower, a regeneration heater that heat-exchanges a solution recovered to a bottom portion of the regeneration tower with saturated steam; and a steam-condensate heat exchanger that heats the rich solution with residual heat of steam condensate.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention relates to a CO₂ recovery system including an absorption tower that contacts CO₂-containing gas with a CO₂-absorbing solution to remove CO₂ and a regeneration tower that regenerates a rich solution having absorbed CO₂, and reusing a lean solution, obtained by removing CO₂ from the rich solution in the regeneration tower, in the absorption tower, a regeneration heater that heat-exchanges a solution recovered to a bottom portion of the regeneration tower with saturated steam; and a steam-condensate heat exchanger that heats a semi-lean solution, obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the lean solution, with residual heat of steam condensate, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from a middle portion of the regeneration tower.

A eighteenth aspect of the present invention relates to a CO₂ recovery system including an absorption tower that contacts CO₂-containing gas with a CO₂-absorbing solution to remove CO₂ and a regeneration tower that regenerates a rich solution having absorbed CO₂, and reusing a lean solution, obtained by removing CO₂ from the rich solution in the regeneration tower, in the absorption tower, a lean-solution heat exchanger that heats a semi-lean solution, obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, with residual heat of a lean solution, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from a middle portion of the regeneration tower.

A nineteenth aspect of the present invention relates to a CO₂ recovery method including contacting CO₂-containing gas with a CO₂ absorbing solution in an absorption tower to remove CO₂, regenerating a rich solution having absorbed CO₂ in a regeneration tower, and reusing a lean solution, regenerated by removing CO₂ from the rich solution, in the absorption tower, heat-exchanging a solution recovered to a bottom portion of the regeneration tower with steam; and heating the rich solution with residual heat of steam condensate.

A twentieth aspect of the present invention relates to a CO₂ recovery method including contacting CO₂-containing gas with a CO₂ absorbing solution in an absorption tower to remove CO₂, regenerating a rich solution having absorbed CO₂ in a regeneration tower, and reusing a lean solution, regenerated by removing CO₂ from the rich solution, in the absorption tower, heat-exchanging a solution recovered to a bottom portion of the regeneration tower with steam; and heating a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, with residual heat of steam condensate, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from a middle portion of the regeneration tower.

A twenty-first aspect of the present invention relates to a CO₂ recovery method including contacting CO₂-containing gas with a CO₂ absorbing solution in an absorption tower to remove CO₂, regenerating a rich solution having absorbed CO₂ in a regeneration tower, and reusing a lean solution, regenerated by removing CO₂ from the rich solution, in the absorption tower, heating a semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, with residual heat of a lean solution, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from a middle portion of the regeneration tower.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a CO₂ recovery system and method in which energy saving is achieved by using residual heat of steam condensate.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a CO₂ recovery system and method with improved energy efficiency by heating a semi-lean solution with residual heat of a lean solution, the semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from a rich solution and extracted from the middle of the regeneration tower when the rich solution having absorbed CO₂ is regenerated in the regeneration tower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a seventh embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a eighth embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a ninth embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to example 1;

FIG. 11 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to example 2;

FIG. 12 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to example 3;

FIG. 13 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to example 4;

FIG. 14 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to example 5;

FIG. 15 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to example 6;

FIG. 16 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to example 7;

FIG. 17 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to example 8;

FIG. 18 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to example 9;

FIG. 19 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to example 10;

FIG. 20 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to example 11;

FIG. 21 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to example 12; and

FIG. 22 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a conventional example.

EXPLANATIONS OF LETTERS OR NUMERALS

-   -   11 CO₂-containing gas     -   12 CO₂-absorbing solution     -   13 Absorption tower     -   14 Rich solution     -   15 Regeneration tower     -   16 Lean solution     -   17 Steam     -   18 Regeneration heater     -   19 Steam condensate     -   21 Steam-condensate heat exchanger     -   22 Lean-solution supply pipe     -   23 Lean-solution heat exchanger     -   8 Nozzle     -   9 Chimney tray     -   10 CO₂-removed exhaust gas

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is explained in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. It is noted that the present invention is not limited by its exemplary embodiments and examples. It is also noted that components in the following embodiments and examples contain those persons skilled in the art can easily think of or those substantially equivalent thereto.

The embodiments of the present invention are explained first, and the exemplary examples are explained in detail next.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the CO₂ recovery system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an absorption tower 13 that makes CO₂-containing gas 11 containing CO₂ to contact with a CO₂-absorbing solution 12 to produce a CO₂-rich solution 14; and a regeneration tower 15 that regenerates a rich solution 14 to produce a lean solution (regenerated solution) 16. The regenerated solution 16 is reused in the absorption tower 13. The CO₂ recovery system includes a regeneration heater 18 that implements heat exchange between the lean solution 16, which accumulates near the bottom of the regeneration tower 15, and high temperature steam 17; a rich-solution supply pipe 20 which supplies the rich solution 14 from the absorption tower 13 to the regeneration tower 15; a steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 that is provided in rich-solution supply pipe 20 and heats the rich solution 14 with the residual heat of steam condensate 19 fed from the regeneration heater 18.

In the first embodiment, the lean solution 16 being the regenerated solution is supplied from the regeneration tower 15 to the absorption tower 13 through a lean-solution supply pipe 22. A lean-solution heat exchanger 23, which heats the rich solution 14 with residual heat of the lean solution 16, is provided in the rich-solution supply pipe 20.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 8 represents a nozzle, 9 a chimney tray, 10 CO₂-removed exhaust gas, 25 a and 25 b filling layers provided in the absorption tower 13, and 26 a and 26 b filling layers provided in the regeneration tower 15.

The heat exchanger used in the first embodiment is not particularly limited. In other words, a known heat exchanger such as a plate heat exchanger and a shell and tube heat exchanger can be used.

The CO₂-absorbing solution used in the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, an alkanolamine and a hindered amine group having alkanolamine and alcoholic hydroxyl can be exemplified. The alkanolamine can be exemplified by monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine, diisopropanolamine, diglycolamine, and the like, but generally, monoethanolamine (MEA) is preferably used. The hindered amine having alcoholic hydroxyl can be exemplified by 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), 2-(ethylamino)-ethanol (EAE), 2-(methylamino)-ethanol (MAE), and 2-(diethylamino)-ethanol (DEAE).

Thus, there is provided the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 that heats the rich solution 14 with the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 fed from the regeneration heater 18. Thus, the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 can be effectively used to raise the supply temperature of the rich solution 14 to be supplied to the regeneration tower 15, so that reduction in the supply amount of steam used in the regeneration tower 15 can be achieved.

The CO₂-containing gas 11 to be supplied to a CO₂ removal device is first cooled by a cooling device (not shown) to about 40° C. to 50° C. and supplied to the CO₂ recovery device. On the other hand, the lean solution 16 which is the absorbing solution 12 regenerated is cooled to about 40° C. by a cooling device (not shown).

The rich solution 14 output from the absorption tower 13 of the CO₂ removal device is sent toward the regeneration tower 15 at about 50° C. due to heat reaction. The rich solution 14 is then heated up to about 110° C. in the lean-solution heat exchanger 23 and supplied to the regeneration tower 15. However, by providing the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 in which the rich solution 14 is heat-exchanged with the heat (e.g., 137° C.) of the steam condensate 19, the temperature of the rich solution 14 can be increased by several degrees.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, a flash drum for causing the rich solution to flash can be provided in either one of an upstream side and a downstream side of the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21, and the flash drum can be made to discharge CO₂ contained in the rich solution in the outside of the regeneration tower. According to such configuration, part of CO₂ in the rich solution 14 to be regenerated in the regeneration tower 15 is previously removed by the flash drum, and it becomes possible to reduce the supply amount of steam to be used for CO₂ removal in the regeneration tower 15.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a second embodiment.

Components the same as those of the CO₂ recovery system according to the first embodiment are assigned with the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the CO₂ recovery system according to the second embodiment of the present invention further includes, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, a branching node 24 provided in the rich-solution supply pipe 20 that branches the rich solution 14 into the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 and the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2; the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 that is provided in the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 and heats the rich solution 14; a flash drum 27 provided in the downstream side of the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21; and a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 that is provided in the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 and heats the rich solution 14 with the residual heat of a semi-lean solution 28 obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the flash drum 27. An end of a semi-lean-solution supply pipe 30 for supplying the semi-lean solution 28 is connected to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower 13. The second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 is connected near the upper stage of the regeneration tower 15, and CO₂ is removed and recovered in the regeneration tower 15.

Thus, the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 heats the rich solution 14 with the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 fed from the regeneration heater 18, in which the rich solution is heated with the residual heat of the steam condensate. therefore, the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 having been used in the regeneration heater 18 is effectively used. The rich solution 14 heated with the residual heat is introduced into the flash drum 27. Then, the rich solution 14 is caused to flash in the flash drum 27 to enable improvement of CO₂ removal efficiency. Moreover, the rich solution 14 is heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution and fed from the flash drum 27, in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 interposed in the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 branched. Therefore, it is possible to increase the temperature of the rich solution 14 to be introduced into the regeneration tower 15, and as a result, the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower 15 can be reduced. Most of CO₂ is removed from the semi-lean solution 28, obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, in the flash drum 27. Therefore, by supplying this semi-lean solution 28 to the middle stage portion of the absorption tower 13, CO₂ is absorbed without being regenerated in the regeneration tower 15.

Furthermore, CO₂ removed in the flash drum 27 joins CO₂ fed from the regeneration tower 15, to be recovered separately.

The ratio of division of the rich solution 14 into the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 and the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 at the branching node 24 is simply set to a range from 30:70 to 70:30, preferably 50:50.

The second embodiment is configured to further divide the inner side of the absorption tower 13 into two stages: an upper-stage filling layer 13-U and a lower-stage filling layer 13-L; to extract the absorbing solution 12 having absorbed CO₂, from the upper-stage filling layer 13-U to the outside; and to mix the absorbing solution 12 with the semi-lean solution 28 to be cooled. This is because it is preferable to decrease the temperature of a solution to be supplied because the absorption reaction is a heat absorption reaction. In this embodiment, the temperature is decreased to about 40° C. to 50° C.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

FIG. 3 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a third embodiment.

Components the same as those in each of the CO₂ recovery systems according to the first and the second embodiments are assigned with the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the CO₂ recovery system according to the third embodiment of the present invention further includes, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the branching node 24 provided in the rich-solution supply pipe 20 and divides the rich solution 14 into the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 and the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2; a steam-condensate heat exchanger 31 that is provided in an end of the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 and causes the rich solution 14 to flash; and the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 that is provided in the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 and heats the rich solution 14 with the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 31. And the end of the semi-lean-solution supply pipe 30 for supplying the semi-lean solution 28 is connected to the middle stage portion of the absorption tower 13.

In the third embodiment, the steam-condensate heat exchanger 31 is not an exchanger such as the plate heat exchanger, but includes, as shown in FIG. 3, a first flash drum 33 in which a flash portion 32, for causing the rich solution 14 to flash, is provided in its upper side; a filling layer 34 provided in the first flash drum 33; and a steam supply portion 36 that is provided in the lower-portion of the flash drum and supplies steam 35 from the steam condensate 19.

If the steam condensate 19 is pressurized saturated steam, a second flash drum 37 is provided to make it as atmospheric pressure steam, and the steam 35 is supplied to the first flash drum 33, where CO₂ is removed from the rich solution 14 using the heat of the steam 35.

The semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 heats the rich solution 14 using the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the first flash drum 33, and then, the rich solution is supplied to the middle stage portion of the absorption tower 13.

Thus, the steam-condensate heat exchanger 31 heats the rich solution 14 in the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1, with the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 fed from the regeneration heater 18, in which the rich solution is heated with the steam 35. Therefore, the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 having been used in the regeneration heater 18 is effectively used. The rich solution 14 is heat-exchanged using the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 obtained by removing CO₂ by flash in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 31, in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 interposed in the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 branched. Therefore, it is possible to increase the temperature of the rich solution 14 to be introduced into the regeneration tower 15, and as a result, the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower 15 can be reduced.

Furthermore, CO₂ removed in the first flash drum 33 joins CO₂ fed from the regeneration tower 15, to be recovered separately.

The first flash drum 33 functions as an auxiliary regeneration tower for the regeneration tower 14.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a fourth embodiment.

Components the same as those in each of the CO₂ recovery systems according to the first to the third embodiments are assigned with the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the CO₂ recovery system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention further includes, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, an upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U and a lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L into which the inner side of the regeneration tower 15 is vertically divided; the branching node 24 provided in the rich-solution supply pipe 20 and dividing the rich solution 14; the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 interposed in the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 branched; and the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 that is provided in the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2, and heats the rich solution 14 with the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U. And, the end of the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 is connected to the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L, the end of the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 is connected to the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U, and the end of the semi-lean-solution supply pipe 30 for supplying the semi-lean solution 28 is connected to the middle stage portion of the absorption tower 13.

The fourth embodiment is configured to provide the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 that heats the rich solution 14 with the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 fed from the regeneration heater 18, in which the rich solution is heated with the residual heat of the steam condensate. Therefore, the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 having been used in the regeneration heater 18 is effectively used. Furthermore, the rich solution 14 heated with the residual heat is introduced into the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L, where it is regenerated.

The semi-lean solution 28, obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution 14 in the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U, is extracted to the outside through the semi-lean supply pipe 30, and the rich solution 14 is heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the semi-lean solution in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 interposed in the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 branched. Therefore, it is possible to increase the temperature of the rich solution 14 to be introduced into the regeneration tower 15, and as a result, the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower 15 can be reduced.

The ratio of division of the rich solution 14 into the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 and the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 at the branching node 24 is simply set to a range from 25:75 to 75:25.

FIFTH EMBODIMENT

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a fifth embodiment.

Components the same as those in each of the CO₂ recovery systems according to the first to the fourth embodiments are assigned with the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the CO₂ recovery system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U, a middle-portion regeneration tower 15-M, and the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L, which are obtained by dividing the regeneration tower 15 into three: upper, middle, and lower portions; the branching node 24 provided in the rich-solution supply pipe 20 and dividing the rich solution 14; the lean-solution heat exchanger 23 interposed in the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 branched; the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 that is provided in the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2, and heats the rich solution with the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U; and the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 that extracts the semi-lean solution 28 obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the middle-portion regeneration tower 15-M, to the outside of the regeneration tower through an extraction pipe 41, and that heats the semi-lean solution 28 with the residual heat of the steam condensate 19. And, the end of the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 is connected to the middle-portion regeneration tower 15-M, the end of the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 is connected to the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U, the extraction pipe 41 is connected to the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L, and the end of the supply pipe 30 for supplying the semi-lean solution 28 is connected to the middle stage portion of the absorption tower 13.

The fifth embodiment is configured to provide the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 that heats the semi-lean solution 28 extracted through the extraction pipe 41, in which the semi-lean solution 28 is heated with the residual heat of the steam condensate 19. Therefore, the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 having been used in the regeneration heater 18 is effectively used, and as a result, the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower 15 can be reduced.

Furthermore, the rich solution 14 is heat-exchanged, using the lean solution 16 regenerated in the regeneration tower 15, in the lean-solution heat exchanger 23 interposed in the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1, and the rich solution 14 heated with the residual heat is introduced into the middle-portion regeneration tower 15-M, which allows reduction in the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower.

The semi-lean solution 28, obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U, is extracted to the outside through the semi-lean supply pipe 30, and the rich solution 14 is heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 interposed in the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 branched. Therefore, it is possible to increase the temperature of the rich solution 14 to be introduced into the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U, and as a result, the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower 15 can be reduced.

The ratio of division of the rich solution 14 into the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 and the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 at the branching node 24 is simply set to a range from 25:75 to 75:25.

SIXTH EMBODIMENT

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a sixth embodiment.

Components the same as those in each of the CO₂ recovery systems according to the first to the fifth embodiments are assigned with the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the CO₂ recovery system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention includes the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U and the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L, which are obtained by dividing the regeneration tower at least into two portions; and the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 that heats the semi-lean solution 28, obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, with the residual heat of the steam condensate, the semi-lean solution 28 having been extracted from the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U through the extraction pipe 41. And the semi-lean solution 28 heated is supplied to the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L.

The sixth embodiment is configured to provide the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 that heats the semi-lean solution 28 extracted through the extraction pipe 41, with the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 fed from the regeneration heater 18, in which the semi-lean solution 28 is heated with the residual heat of the steam condensate. Therefore, the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 having been used in the regeneration heater 18 is effectively used, and as a result, the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower 15 can be reduced.

SEVENTH EMBODIMENT

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a seventh embodiment.

Components the same as those in each of the CO₂ recovery systems according to the first to the sixth embodiments are assigned with the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the CO₂ recovery system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention includes, in addition to the system of the sixth embodiment, a first branching node 24-1 provided in the rich-solution supply pipe 20 and dividing the rich solution 14; a first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1 interposed in the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 branched at the first branching node 24-1; the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 that is provided in the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 branched at the first branching node 24-1, and heats the rich solution 14 with the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution in the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U; a second lean-solution heat exchanger 23-2 in which the rich solution 14 joined at a joint 42 between the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 and the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2, is heat-exchanged after the heat exchange in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29; a second branching node 24-2 provided in the downstream side of the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 provided in the supply pipe 30 for supplying the semi-lean solution 28; and the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 interposed in a first semi-lean-solution supply pipe 30-1 branched at the second branching node 24-2. And the end of the first semi-lean-solution supply pipe 30-1 is connected to the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L, and the end of a second semi-lean-solution supply pipe 30-2 branched at the second branching node 24-2 is connected to the middle stage portion of the absorption tower 13.

In the seventh embodiment, the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 uses the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 extracted from the upper-portion regeneration tower 14-U to heat the rich solution 14, and the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 is thereby effectively used. Moreover, because the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 is provided in the way in which part of the semi-lean solution 28 is returned again to the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L through the first semi-lean-solution supply pipe 30-1, the semi-lean solution 28 can be heated with the residual heat of the steam condensate 19. The residual heat of the steam condensate 19 having been used in the regeneration heater 18 is thereby effectively used, and as a result, the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower 15 can be reduced.

One part of the rich solution 14 once divided is heat-exchanged in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29, and the other part of the rich solution 14 divided is also heat-exchanged in the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1, and these parts of the rich solution 14 are jointed at the joint 42, and are further heat-exchanged in the second lean-solution heat exchanger 23-2, to be supplied to the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U. The temperature of the rich solution 14 to be introduced into the regeneration tower thereby increases, and as a result, the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower 15 can be reduced.

EIGHTH EMBODIMENT

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to an eighth embodiment.

Components the same as those in each of the CO₂ recovery systems according to the first to the seventh embodiments are assigned with the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the CO₂ recovery system according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention includes the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U and the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L, which are obtained by dividing the regeneration tower at least into two portions; the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1 that is interposed in the extraction pipe 41 for extracting the semi-lean solution 28, obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, from the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U divided, and heats the semi-lean solution 28 with the residual heat of the lean solution 16 that flows through the lean-solution supply pipe 22; and the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 that is provided in the downstream side of and adjacent to the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1 in the extraction pipe 41, and reheats the semi-lean solution 28 having been heated once, with the steam condensate 19. And the second lean-solution heat exchanger 23-2, which heats the rich solution 14 with the residual heat of the lean solution after the semi-lean solution 28 is heated, is provided in the rich-solution supply pipe 20.

In the eighth embodiment, the semi-lean solution 28 extracted from the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U is heated in the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1, and further heated in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21, and the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 having been used in the regeneration heater 18 is thereby effectively used. As a result, the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower 15 can be reduced.

Furthermore, when the inside of the regeneration tower is divided into a plurality of stages and the semi-lean solution 28, extracted from each stage of the regeneration tower divided, is returned to the regeneration tower on the lower stage side, the semi-lean solution 28 is heat-exchanged in the lean-solution heat exchanger and the steam-condensate heat exchanger respectively. This causes the temperature of the semi-lean solution 28, which is regenerated in the regeneration tower 15, to be increased, and consequently, the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower 15 can be reduced.

NINTH EMBODIMENT

FIG. 9 is a schematic of a CO₂ recovery system according to a ninth embodiment.

Components the same as those in each of the CO₂ recovery systems according to the first to the eighth embodiments are assigned with the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, the CO₂ recovery system according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention includes the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U, the middle-portion regeneration tower 15-M, and the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L, which are obtained by dividing the regeneration tower 15 into three: upper, middle, and lower portions; the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1 that heats the semi-lean solution 28, obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution and extracted from the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U through a first extraction pipe 41-1, with the lean solution fed from the regeneration tower; the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 that heats the semi-lean solution 28, obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution and extracted from the middle-portion regeneration tower 15-M through a second extraction pipe 41-2, with the steam condensate; the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 that is provided in the rich-solution supply pipe 20, and heats the rich solution 14 with the part of the semi-lean solution 28 extracted from the middle-portion regeneration tower 15-M; and the second lean-solution heat exchanger 23-2 that is provided in the downstream side of the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 in the rich-solution supply pipe 20, and heats the rich solution 14 with the residual heat of the lean solution 16 after the semi-lean solution 28 is heated. And the semi-lean solution heated is supplied to the lower stage side of the regeneration tower, and the semi-lean solution 28 after heat exchange is performed in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 is supplied to the middle stage portion of the absorption tower 13 through the semi-lean-solution supply pipe 30.

In the ninth embodiment, the semi-lean solution 28 respectively extracted from the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U and the middle-portion regeneration tower 15-M is heated in the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1 or in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21, and the residual heat of the lean solution 16 and of the steam condensate 19 is thereby effectively used. As a result, the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower 15 can be reduced.

The residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 after heat exchange is performed in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 is used for heating the rich solution, and the residual heat of the lean solution heat-exchanged in the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1 is used for heating the rich solution in the second lean-solution heat exchanger 23-2. It is thereby possible to increase the temperature of the rich solution 14 to be supplied to the regeneration tower 15, and as a result, the supply amount of steam to be used in the regeneration tower 15 can be reduced.

The exemplary examples indicating the effect of the present invention are explained below, but the present invention is not limited by the examples.

EXAMPLE 1

A CO₂ recovery system according to example 1 of the present invention is explained below with reference to the following drawing.

FIG. 10 is a schematic of the CO₂ recovery system according to example 1.

As shown in FIG. 10, the CO₂-containing exhaust gas 11 supplied to the CO₂ absorption tower 13 is brought into countercurrent contact with the absorbing solution 12 in a filling portion, the absorbing solution 12 having predetermined concentration and being supplied from the nozzle 8. CO₂ in the combustion exhaust gas is absorbed and removed by the CO₂-absorbing solution 12, and the remaining CO₂-removed exhaust gas 10, from which CO₂ has been absorbed and removed, is fed to the outside. The absorbing solution 12 supplied to the CO₂ absorption tower 13 absorbs CO₂, and reaction heat due to the absorption causes the temperature of the absorbing solution 12 to become higher than normal temperature in a tower head. The absorbing solution having absorbed CO₂ is sent by a discharge pump 51 for the absorbing solution, as the rich solution 14, to the lean-solution heat exchanger 23 and the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21, where it is heated, to be introduced into the regeneration tower 15.

In the regeneration tower 15, the absorbing solution is regenerated by being heated with the steam 17 by the regeneration heater 18, cooled as the lean solution 16 by the lean-solution heat exchanger 23 and a cooler 52 provided as necessary, and is returned to the CO₂ absorption tower 13. In the upper portion of the regeneration tower 15, CO₂ separated from the absorbing solution is cooled by a regeneration-tower reflux condenser 53, the steam associated with CO₂ is separated from condensed reflux water in a CO₂ separator 54, and output to the outside of the system through a recovered-CO₂ discharge line 55. Reflux water 56 is flowed back to the regeneration tower 15 by a reflux pump 57.

In the example 1, the steam used in the regeneration heater 18 is introduced into the CO₂ separator 54 to be flashed, and the residual heat of the steam flashed as the steam condensate 19 is used for heating the rich solution 14 in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21.

As a comparison, the case where the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 is not provided is shown in FIG. 22.

If the temperature of the rich solution 14 to be discharged from the absorption tower 13 was 50.5° C., the temperature was 114.2° C. when only the lean-solution heat exchanger 23 was provided, while in the example 1, the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 was provided, and the temperature thereby increased to 116.7° C., consequently, the amount of steam consumed in the regeneration tower 15 became 97.96 MMkcl/h.

In FIG. 10, temperature (° C.) is surrounded by a rectangle, flow rate (t/h) is surrounded by a parallelogram, and the amount of heat (MMkcl/h) is represented with angled brackets. The same goes for FIG. 11 to FIG. 21.

The amount of steam consumed in the comparative example of FIG. 22 was 98.77 MMkcl/h. Assuming the comparative example is 100, the amount of steam consumed in this example becomes 99.2%. Therefore, the reduction rate of specific steam consumption (improvement effect) was 0.8%.

EXAMPLE 2

A CO₂ recovery system according to example 2 of the present invention is explained below with reference to the following drawing.

FIG. 11 is a schematic of the CO₂ recovery system according to example 2. Components the same as those of example 1 are assigned with the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

In example 2, a flash drum 61 is provided in the downstream side of the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 that heats the rich solution 14. In the upstream side of the flash drum 61, the rich solution 14 is heated in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21, and therefore, CO₂ in the rich solution 14 can be removed in the flash drum 61.

The temperature of the rich solution fed from the flash drum 61 is 103.9° C., but because part of CO₂ has been removed, decreasing inlet temperature of the regeneration tower 15 causes the steam discharged from the tower head to be reduced, which is preferable.

In example 2, as the result, the amount of steam consumed in the regeneration tower 15 became 97.64 MMkcl/h. Assuming the comparative example is 100, the amount of steam consumed in this example becomes 98.1%. Therefore, the reduction rate of specific steam consumption (improvement effect) was 1.1%.

EXAMPLE 3

A CO₂ recovery system according to example 3 of the present invention is explained below with reference to the following drawing.

FIG. 12 is a schematic of the CO₂ recovery system according to example 3. Components the same as those of example 1 are assigned with the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

In example 3, the flash drum 61 is provided in the upstream side of the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 that heats the rich solution 14. In the downstream side of the flash drum 61, the rich solution 14 was heated in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21, to thereby increase the temperature of the rich solution 14 to be supplied to the regeneration tower 15.

In example 3, as the result, the amount of steam consumed in the regeneration tower 15 became 97.27 MMkcl/h. Assuming the comparative example is 100, the amount of steam consumed in this example becomes 98.5%. Therefore, the reduction rate of specific steam consumption (improvement effect) was 1.5%.

EXAMPLE 4

A CO₂ recovery system according to example 4 of the present invention is explained below with reference to the following drawing.

FIG. 13 is a schematic of the CO₂ recovery system according to example 4. Components the same as those of example 1 are assigned with the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

In example 4, the rich solution 14 was divided, part of the rich solution 14 divided was sent to the heat exchanger 31 of flash drum type, where the rich solution 14 was heat-exchanged with the steam from the steam condensate and CO₂ was removed from the rich solution 14. Using the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 after the heat exchange, the other part of the rich solution 14 divided was heat-exchanged in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29, to increase the temperature of the rich solution 14 to be supplied to the regeneration tower 15.

In example 4, as the result, the amount of steam consumed in the regeneration tower 15 became 97.56 MMkcl/h. Assuming the comparative example is 100, the amount of steam consumed in this example becomes 98.8%. Therefore, the reduction rate of specific steam consumption (improvement effect) was 1.2%.

EXAMPLE 5

A CO₂ recovery system according to example 5 of the present invention is explained below with reference to the following drawing.

FIG. 14 is a schematic of the CO₂ recovery system according to example 5. Components the same as those of example 1 are assigned with the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

In example 5, the rich solution 14 was divided, and part of the rich solution 14 divided was sent to the heat exchanger 31 of flash drum type, but on the way to the heat exchanger 31, the rich solution 14 was heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the steam condensate in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21, to improve the removal rate of CO₂ from the rich solution 14 in the flash drum 31. Using the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 after the heat exchange, the other part of the rich solution 14 divided was heat-exchanged in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29, to thereby increase the temperature of the rich solution 14 to be supplied to the regeneration tower 15.

In example 5, as the result, the amount of steam consumed in the regeneration tower 15 became 95.52 MMkcl/h. Assuming the comparative example is 100, the amount of steam consumed in this example becomes 96.7%. Therefore, the reduction rate of specific steam consumption (improvement effect) was 3.3%.

EXAMPLE 6

A CO₂ recovery system according to example 6 of the present invention is explained below with reference to the following drawing.

FIG. 15 is a schematic of the CO₂ recovery system according to example 6. Components the same as those of example 1 are assigned with the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

In example 6, the regeneration tower 15 was divided into two portions, the semi-lean solution 28 extracted from the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U was heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21, and the semi-lean solution 28 heat-exchanged was returned to the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L. This caused an increase in the temperature of the semi-lean solution to be supplied to the lower portion side of the regeneration tower 15.

In example 6, as the result, the amount of steam consumed in the regeneration tower 15 became 93.65 MMkcl/h. Assuming the comparative example is 100, the amount of steam consumed in this example becomes 94.8%. Therefore, the reduction rate of specific steam consumption (improvement effect) was 5.2%.

EXAMPLE 7

A CO₂ recovery system according to example 7 of the present invention is explained below with reference to the following drawing.

FIG. 16 is a schematic of the CO₂ recovery system according to example 7. Components the same as those of example 1 are assigned with the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

In example 7, the regeneration tower 15 was divided into two portions, and the rich solution 14 was divided. The lean-solution heat exchanger 23 was provided in the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1, and in the downstream side thereof, the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 was provided, to thereby increase the temperature of the rich solution 14 to be supplied to the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L. Furthermore, the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29, which uses the residual heat of the semi-lean solution 28 fed from the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U, was provided in the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2, to thereby increase the temperature of the rich solution to be supplied to the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U.

The ratio of division of the rich solution 14 is such that the first rich solution was set to 70% and the second rich solution was set to 30%.

In example 7, as the result, the amount of steam consumed in the regeneration tower 15 became 93.58 MMkcl/h. Assuming the comparative example is 100, the amount of steam consumed in this example becomes 94.8%. Therefore, the reduction rate of specific steam consumption (improvement effect) was 5.2%.

EXAMPLE 8

A CO₂ recovery system according to example 8 of the present invention is explained below with reference to the following drawing.

FIG. 17 is a schematic of the CO₂ recovery system according to example 8. Components the same as those of example 1 are assigned with the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

In example 8, the regeneration tower 15 was divided into two portions, and the semi-lean solution 28 extracted from the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U was first heat-exchanged in the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1, and then, was heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21, and the semi-lean solution 28 heat-exchanged was returned to the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L. This caused an increase in the temperature of the semi-lean solution to be supplied to the lower portion side of the regeneration tower 15.

In example 8, as the result, the amount of steam consumed in the regeneration tower 15 became 91.1 MMkcl/h. Assuming the comparative example is 100, the amount of steam consumed in this example becomes 92.3%. Therefore, the reduction rate of specific steam consumption (improvement effect) was 7.7%.

EXAMPLE 9

A CO₂ recovery system according to example 9 of the present invention is explained below with reference to the following drawing.

FIG. 18 is a schematic of the CO₂ recovery system according to example 9. Components the same as those of example 1 are assigned with the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

In example 9, the regeneration tower 15 was divided into four portions such as a first regeneration tower 15-1, a second regeneration tower 15-2, a third regeneration tower 15-3, and a fourth regeneration tower 15-4. The semi-lean solution 28 respectively extracted from the first regeneration tower 15-1 and the third regeneration tower 15-3 was heat-exchanged with the respective residual heat of the steam condensate in a first steam-condensate heat exchanger 21-1 and a second steam-condensate heat exchanger 21-2, respectively. Because the temperature in the lower portion side of the regeneration tower was high, the residual heat of the steam condensate 19 was effectively used.

Furthermore, the semi-lean solution extracted from the second regeneration tower 15-2 was heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the lean solution 16 in the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1. The semi-lean solution 28 extracted from the first regeneration tower 15-1, before being returned to the second regeneration tower 15-2 in the lower stage side, was heat-exchanged in the second lean-solution heat exchanger 23-2 in which the semi-lean solution 28 was heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the lean solution 16 that had been heat-exchanged in the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1. In example 9, after the heat exchange, the rich solution 14 fed from the absorption tower 13 was heat-exchanged in a third lean-solution heat exchanger 23-3.

In example 9, as the result, the amount of steam consumed in the regeneration tower 15 became 85.49 MMkcl/h. Assuming the comparative example is 100, the amount of steam consumed in this example becomes 86.6%. Therefore, the reduction rate of specific steam consumption (improvement effect) was 13.4%.

EXAMPLE 10

A CO₂ recovery system according to example 10 of the present invention is explained below with reference to the following drawing.

FIG. 19 is a schematic of the CO₂ recovery system according to example 10. Components the same as those of example 1 are assigned with the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

In example 10, the regeneration tower 15 was divided into three portions such as the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U, the middle-portion regeneration tower 15-M, and the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L. The semi-lean solution 28 extracted from the middle-portion regeneration tower 15-M was heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the steam condensate in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21. Part of the semi-lean solution 28 extracted was supplied to the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 that heats the rich solution 14, where the residual heat of the semi-lean solution was effectively used.

Furthermore, the semi-lean solution 28 extracted from the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U was heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the lean solution 16 in the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1.

The rich solution 14 heat-exchanged in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29 was heat-exchanged in the second lean-solution heat exchanger 23-2 in which the rich solution 14 was heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the lean solution 16 that had been heat-exchanged in the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1.

In example 10, as the result, the amount of steam consumed in the regeneration tower 15 became 91.9 MMkcl/h. Assuming the comparative example is 100, the amount of steam consumed in this example becomes 93.0%. Therefore, the reduction rate of specific steam consumption (improvement effect) was 7%.

EXAMPLE 11

A CO₂ recovery system according to example 11 of the present invention is explained below with reference to the following drawing.

FIG. 20 is a schematic of the CO₂ recovery system according to example 11. Components the same as those of example 1 are assigned with the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

In example 11, the regeneration tower 15 was divided into two portions such as the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U and the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L. The semi-lean solution 28, extracted from the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U, was used to heat the rich solution in the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2, in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger 29. Thereafter, the semi-lean solution 28 was divided, to be heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the steam condensate in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21 before being supplied to the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L.

The rich solution in the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1 was heat-exchanged in the first lean-solution heat exchanger 23-1, was jointed with the other one to be heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the lean solution 16 in the second lean-solution heat exchanger 23-2, and was supplied to the regeneration tower 15.

In example 11, as the result, the amount of steam consumed in the regeneration tower 15 became 93.96 MMkcl/h. Assuming the comparative example is 100, the amount of steam consumed in this example becomes 95.1%. Therefore, the reduction rate of specific steam consumption (improvement effect) was 4.9%.

EXAMPLE 12

A CO₂ recovery system according to example 12 of the present invention is explained below with reference to the following drawing.

FIG. 21 is a schematic of the CO₂ recovery system according to example 12. Components the same as those of example 1 are assigned with the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted.

In example 12, the regeneration tower 15 was divided into three portions such as the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U, the middle-portion regeneration tower 15-M, and the lower-portion regeneration tower 15-L. The semi-lean solution 28 extracted from the middle-portion regeneration tower 15-M was heat-exchanged with the residual heat of the steam condensate in the steam-condensate heat exchanger 21.

Furthermore, the rich solution 14 was divided, and the lean-solution heat exchanger 23 was provided in the first rich-solution supply pipe 20-1. The lean-solution heat exchanger 29 was provided in the second rich-solution supply pipe 20-2 where heat exchange was performed using the semi-lean solution 28 extracted from the upper-portion regeneration tower 15-U, so that the residual heat of the semi-lean solution was effectively used.

In example 12, as the result, the amount of steam consumed in the regeneration tower 15 became 91.14 MMkcl/h. Assuming the comparative example is 100, the amount of steam consumed in this example becomes 92.3%. Therefore, the reduction rate of specific steam consumption (improvement effect) was 7.7%.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The CO₂ recovery system according to the present invention is suitable for reduction in the supply amount of heated steam used in the regeneration tower by effectively using the residual heat of the steam condensate and the residual heat of the semi-lean solution. 

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A CO₂ recovery system including an absorption tower that receives CO₂-containing gas and CO₂-absorbing solution, and causes the CO₂-containing gas to come in contact with the CO₂-absorbing solution to produce CO₂ rich solution, and a regeneration tower that receives the rich solution and produces lean solution from the rich solution by removing CO₂ from the rich solution, the CO₂ recovery system comprising: a bottom lean-solution extraction path that extracts lean solution that accumulates near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower from a first point of the regeneration tower and returns extracted lean solution to a second point of the regeneration tower that is downstream of the first point; a regeneration heater arranged in the bottom lean-solution extraction path and heats the lean solution in the bottom lean-solution extraction path with saturated steam thereby producing steam condensate from the saturated steam; and a steam-condensate heat exchanger that heats, with the steam condensate, any one of the rich solution that is supplied from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower, and a semi-lean solution that is extracted outside from a middle portion of the regeneration tower and returned to the middle portion of the regeneration tower.
 23. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 22, further comprising: a rich-solution supply member that conveys the rich solution from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower, wherein the steam-condensate heat exchanger is provided in the rich-solution supply member and heats the rich solution in the rich-solution supply member with the steam condensate; and a flash drum provided any one of upstream and downstream of the steam-condensate heat exchanger in the rich-solution supply member.
 24. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 23, further comprising: a branching node provided in the rich-solution supply member and that branches the rich-solution supply member into a first rich-solution supply member and a second rich-solution supply member, wherein the steam-condensate heat exchanger is provided in the first rich-solution supply member and heats the rich solution in the first rich-solution supply member with the steam condensate, and the flash drum is provided downstream of the steam-condensate heat exchanger in the first rich-solution supply member, and produces the semi-lean solution; and a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the second rich-solution supply member, and heats the rich solution in the second rich-solution supply member with the semi-lean solution produced in the flash drum.
 25. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 22, further comprising: a rich-solution supply member that conveys the rich solution from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower; a branching node provided in the rich-solution supply member and that branches the rich-solution supply member into a first rich-solution supply member and a second rich-solution supply member, wherein the steam-condensate heat exchanger is provided in the first rich-solution supply member and flashes the rich solution in the first rich-solution supply member to produce the semi-lean solution; a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the second rich-solution supply member, and heats the rich solution in the second rich-solution supply member with the semi-lean solution produced in the steam-condensate heat exchanger; and a semi-lean-solution supply member that conveys the semi-lean solution from the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower.
 26. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 25, wherein the steam-condensate heat exchanger includes a flash drum including a flash portion in an upper side for flashing the rich solution; a filling layer in the flash drum; and a steam supply unit provided in a lower side of the flash drum and to which steam obtained from steam condensate is supplied.
 27. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 22, wherein the regeneration tower including an upper-portion regeneration tower and a lower-portion regeneration tower, and the CO₂ recovery system further comprising: a rich-solution supply member that conveys the rich solution from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower; a branching node provided in the rich-solution supply member and that branches the rich-solution supply member into a first rich-solution supply member and a second rich-solution supply member, wherein the steam-condensate heat exchanger is provided in the first rich-solution supply member and heats the rich solution in the first rich-solution supply member with the steam condensate; a semi-lean-solution supply member that extracts semi-lean solution from the upper-portion regeneration tower and conveys extracted semi-lean solution to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower; a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the second rich-solution supply member and the semi-lean-solution supply member, and heats the rich solution in the second rich-solution supply member with the semi-lean solution in the semi-lean-solution supply member, wherein one end of the first rich-solution supply member being connected to the lower-portion regeneration tower, and one end of the second rich-solution supply member being connected to the upper-portion regeneration tower.
 28. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 22, further comprising: a rich-solution supply member that conveys the rich solution from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower; a lean-solution supply member that extracts the lean solution from the regeneration tower and conveys extracted lean solution to the absorption tower; and a lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the rich-solution supply member and the lean-solution supply member, and heats the rich solution in the rich-solution supply member with the lean solution in the lean-solution supply member.
 29. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 22, wherein the regeneration tower including an upper-portion regeneration tower, a middle-portion regeneration tower, and a lower-portion regeneration tower, and the CO₂ recovery system further comprising: a rich-solution supply member that conveys the rich solution from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower; a branching node provided in the rich-solution supply member and that branches the rich-solution supply member into a first rich-solution supply member and a second rich-solution supply member; a lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the first rich-solution supply member, and heats the rich solution with the lean solution produced in the regeneration tower; a semi-lean-solution supply member that extracts semi-lean solution from the upper-portion regeneration tower and conveys extracted semi-lean solution to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower; a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the second rich-solution supply member and the semi-lean-solution supply member, and heats the rich solution in the second rich-solution supply member with the semi-lean solution in the semi-lean-solution supply member; a middle semi-lean-solution extraction path that extracts semi-lean solution from a third point of the middle-portion regeneration tower and returns extracted semi-lean solution to a fourth point of the middle-portion regeneration tower that is downstream of the third point, wherein the steam-condensate heat exchanger is arranged in the middle semi-lean-solution extraction path and heats the semi-lean solution in the middle semi-lean-solution extraction path with the steam condensate, one end of the first rich-solution supply member being connected to the middle-portion regeneration tower, and one end of the semi-lean-solution supply member is connected to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower.
 30. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 22, wherein the regeneration tower including an upper-portion regeneration tower and a lower-portion regeneration tower, and the CO₂ recovery system further comprising an upper semi-lean-solution extraction path that extracts semi-lean solution from a fifth point of the upper-portion regeneration tower and returns extracted semi-lean solution to a sixth point of the upper-portion regeneration tower that is downstream of the fifth point, wherein the steam-condensate heat exchanger is arranged in the upper semi-lean-solution extraction path and heats the semi-lean solution in the upper semi-lean-solution extraction path with the steam condensate.
 31. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 22, wherein the regeneration tower including an upper-portion regeneration tower and a lower-portion regeneration tower, and the CO₂ recovery system further comprising: an upper semi-lean-solution extraction path that extracts semi-lean solution from a seventh point of the upper-portion regeneration tower and returns extracted semi-lean solution to an eighth point of the upper-portion regeneration tower that is downstream of the seventh point, wherein the steam-condensate heat exchanger is arranged in the upper semi-lean-solution extraction path and heats the semi-lean solution in the upper semi-lean-solution extraction path with the steam condensate; a rich-solution supply member that conveys the rich solution from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower; a lean-solution supply member that extracts the lean solution from the regeneration tower and conveys extracted lean solution to the absorption tower; and a lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the rich-solution supply member and the lean-solution supply member, and heats the rich solution in the rich-solution supply member with the lean solution in the lean-solution supply member.
 32. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 22, wherein the regeneration tower including an upper-portion regeneration tower and a lower-portion regeneration tower, and the CO₂ recovery system further comprising: a semi-lean-solution supply member that extracts semi-lean solution from a ninth point of the upper-portion regeneration tower and returns extracted semi-lean solution to a tenth point of the upper-portion regeneration tower that is downstream of the ninth point; a rich-solution supply member that conveys the rich solution from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower; a first branching node provided in the rich-solution supply member and that branches the rich-solution supply member into a first rich-solution supply member and a second rich-solution supply member; a lean-solution supply member that extracts the lean solution from the regeneration tower and conveys extracted lean solution to the absorption tower; a lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the first rich-solution supply member and the lean-solution supply member, and heats the rich solution in the first rich-solution supply member with the lean solution in the lean-solution supply member; a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the second rich-solution supply member and the semi-lean-solution supply member, and heats the rich solution in the second rich-solution supply member with the semi-lean solution in the semi-lean-solution supply member; a solution supply path that supplies the rich solution heated in the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger to downstream of the lean-solution heat exchanger in the first rich-solution supply member; a second lean-solution heat exchanger arranged in the first rich-solution supply member and the lean-solution supply member downstream of where the solution supply path conveys the rich solution in the first rich-solution supply member; and a second branching node provided in the semi-lean-solution extraction path downstream of the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger and that branches the semi-lean-solution extraction path into a first semi-lean-solution extraction path and a second semi-lean-solution extraction path, wherein the steam-condensate heat exchanger is arranged in the first semi-lean-solution extraction path and heats the semi-lean solution in the first semi-lean-solution extraction path with the steam condensate, and one end of the second semi-lean-solution extraction path is connected to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower.
 33. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 22, wherein the regeneration tower including an upper-portion regeneration tower and a lower-portion regeneration tower, the CO₂ recovery system further comprising: an upper semi-lean-solution extraction path that extracts semi-lean solution from an eleventh point of the upper-portion regeneration tower and returns extracted semi-lean solution to a twelfth point of the upper-portion regeneration tower that is downstream of the eleventh point; a lean-solution supply member that extracts the lean solution from the regeneration tower and conveys extracted lean solution to the absorption tower; a lean-solution heat exchanger that is arranged in the upper semi-lean-solution extraction path and the lean-solution supply member and heats the semi-lean solution in the upper semi-lean-solution extraction path with the lean solution in the lean-solution supply member.
 34. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 22, wherein the regeneration tower including an upper-portion regeneration tower and a lower-portion regeneration tower, the CO₂ recovery system further comprising: an upper semi-lean-solution extraction path that extracts semi-lean solution from a thirteenth point of the upper-portion regeneration tower and returns extracted semi-lean solution to a fourteenth point of the upper-portion regeneration tower that is downstream of the thirteenth point; a lean-solution supply member that extracts the lean solution from the regeneration tower and conveys extracted lean solution to the absorption tower; a first lean-solution heat exchanger that is arranged in the upper semi-lean-solution extraction path and the lean-solution supply member and heats the semi-lean solution in the upper semi-lean-solution extraction path with the lean solution in the lean-solution supply member, wherein the steam-condensate heat exchanger is arranged in the upper semi-lean-solution extraction path downstream of the first lean-solution heat exchanger and heats the semi-lean solution in the upper semi-lean-solution extraction path with the steam condensate; a rich-solution supply member that conveys the rich solution from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower; and a second lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the rich-solution supply member and the lean-solution supply member and heats the rich solution in the rich-solution supply member with the lean solution in the lean-solution supply member.
 35. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 22, wherein the regeneration tower including an upper-portion regeneration tower, a middle-portion regeneration tower, and a lower-portion regeneration tower, the CO₂ recovery system further comprising: an upper semi-lean-solution extraction path that extracts semi-lean solution from a fifteenth point of the upper-portion regeneration tower and returns extracted semi-lean solution to a sixteenth point of the upper-portion regeneration tower that is downstream of the fifteenth point; a lean-solution supply member that extracts the lean solution from the regeneration tower and conveys extracted lean solution to an upper stage portion of the absorption tower; a first lean-solution heat exchanger that is arranged in the upper semi-lean-solution extraction path and the lean-solution supply member and heats the semi-lean solution in the upper semi-lean-solution extraction path with the lean solution in the lean-solution supply member; a semi-lean-solution extraction path that extracts semi-lean solution from a seventeenth point of the middle-portion regeneration tower and returns extracted semi-lean solution to an eighteenth point of the middle-portion regeneration tower that is downstream of the seventeenth point and also conveys the extracted semi-lean solution to a middle stage portion of the absorption tower; a first steam-condensate heat exchanger that is arranged in the semi-lean-solution extraction path between the seventeenth point and the eighteenth point and heats the semi-lean solution in the semi-lean-solution extraction path with the steam condensate; a rich-solution supply member that conveys the rich solution from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower; a semi-lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the rich-solution supply member and the semi-lean-solution extraction path and heats the rich solution in the rich-solution supply member with the semi-lean solution in the semi-lean-solution extraction path; and a second lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided downstream of the semi-lean-solution heat exchanger in the rich-solution supply member and downstream of the first lean-solution heat exchanger in lean-solution supply member, and heats the rich solution in the rich-solution supply member with the lean solution in the lean-solution supply member.
 36. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 25, wherein the absorption tower is divided into an upper stage and a lower stage, and the semi-lean solution to be supplied to a portion between the upper stage and the lower stage of the absorption tower is jointed with a semi-lean solution extracted from the upper-stage absorption tower, to be supplied to the lower-stage absorption tower.
 37. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 29, wherein the absorption tower is divided into an upper stage and a lower stage, and the semi-lean solution to be supplied to a portion between the upper stage and the lower stage of the absorption tower is jointed with a semi-lean solution extracted from the upper-stage absorption tower, to be supplied to the lower-stage absorption tower.
 38. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 32, wherein the absorption tower is divided into an upper stage and a lower stage, and the semi-lean solution to be supplied to a portion between the upper stage and the lower stage of the absorption tower is jointed with a semi-lean solution extracted from the upper-stage absorption tower, to be supplied to the lower-stage absorption tower.
 39. The CO₂ recovery system according to claim 35, wherein the absorption tower is divided into an upper stage and a lower stage, and the semi-lean solution to be supplied to a portion between the upper stage and the lower stage of the absorption tower is jointed with a semi-lean solution extracted from the upper-stage absorption tower, to be supplied to the lower-stage absorption tower.
 40. A CO₂ recovery system including an absorption tower that receives CO₂-containing gas and CO₂-absorbing solution, and causes the CO₂-containing gas to come in contact with the CO₂-absorbing solution to produce CO₂ rich solution, and a regeneration tower that receives the rich solution and produces lean solution from the rich solution by removing CO₂ from the rich solution, the CO₂ recovery system comprising: a bottom lean-solution extraction path that extracts lean solution that accumulates near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower and returns extracted lean solution to the regeneration tower; a regeneration heater arranged in the bottom lean-solution extraction path and heats the lean solution in the bottom lean-solution extraction path with saturated steam thereby producing steam condensate from the saturated steam; a rich-solution supply member that conveys the rich solution from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower; and a steam-condensate heat exchanger that is provided in the rich-solution supply member and heats the rich solution in the rich-solution supply member with the steam condensate.
 41. A CO₂ recovery system including an absorption tower that receives CO₂-containing gas and CO₂-absorbing solution, and causes the CO₂-containing gas to come in contact with the CO₂-absorbing solution to produce CO₂ rich solution, and a regeneration tower that receives the rich solution and produces lean solution from the rich solution by removing CO₂ from the rich solution, the CO₂ recovery system comprising: a bottom lean-solution extraction path that extracts lean solution that accumulates near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower and returns extracted lean solution to the regeneration tower; a regeneration heater arranged in the bottom lean-solution extraction path and heats the lean solution in the bottom lean-solution extraction path with saturated steam thereby producing steam condensate from the saturated steam; a semi-lean-solution extraction path that extracts semi-lean solution from a middle portion of the regeneration tower and returns extracted semi-lean solution to the middle portion of the regeneration tower; and a steam-condensate heat exchanger that is arranged in the semi-lean-solution extraction path and heats the semi-lean solution in the semi-lean-solution extraction path with the steam condensate.
 42. A CO₂ recovery system including an absorption tower that receives CO₂-containing gas and CO₂-absorbing solution, and causes the CO₂-containing gas to come in contact with the CO₂-absorbing solution to produce CO₂ rich solution, and a regeneration tower that receives the rich solution and produces lean solution from the rich solution by removing CO₂ from the rich solution, the CO₂ recovery system comprising: a semi-lean-solution extraction path that extracts semi-lean solution from a middle portion of the regeneration tower and returns extracted semi-lean solution to the middle portion of the regeneration tower; a lean-solution supply member that extracts the lean solution from the regeneration tower and conveys extracted lean solution to the absorption tower; and a lean-solution heat exchanger that is provided in the semi-lean-solution extraction path and the lean-solution supply member, and heats the semi-lean solution in the semi-lean-solution extraction path with the lean solution in the lean-solution supply member.
 43. A CO₂ recovery method including causing CO₂-containing gas to come in contact with CO₂-absorbing solution to produce CO₂ rich solution in an absorption tower, conveying the rich solution to a regeneration tower, and producing a lean solution from the rich solution by removing CO₂ from the rich solution in the regeneration tower, the CO₂ recovery method comprising: extracting lean solution that accumulates near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower, heating extracted lean solution with saturated steam to produce steam condensate from the saturated steam, and returning the extracted lean solution after heating the saturated steam to the regeneration tower; and heating the rich solution that is conveyed from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower with the steam condensate.
 44. A CO₂ recovery method including causing CO₂-containing gas to come in contact with CO₂-absorbing solution to produce CO₂ rich solution in an absorption tower, conveying the rich solution to a regeneration tower, and producing a lean solution from the rich solution by removing CO₂ from the rich solution in the regeneration tower, the CO₂ recovery method comprising: extracting lean solution that accumulates near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower, heating extracted lean solution with saturated steam to produce steam condensate from the saturated steam, and returning the extracted lean solution after heating the saturated steam to the regeneration tower; and extracting semi-lean solution from a middle portion of the regeneration tower, heating extracted semi-lean solution with the steam condensate, and returning the extracted semi-lean solution that has been heated by the saturated steam to the regeneration tower.
 45. A CO₂ recovery method including causing CO₂-containing gas to come in contact with CO₂-absorbing solution to produce CO₂ rich solution in an absorption tower, conveying the rich solution to a regeneration tower, and producing a lean solution from the rich solution by removing CO₂ from the rich solution in the regeneration tower, the CO₂ recovery method comprising: performing transfer of heat from lean solution to semi-lean solution obtained by removing part of CO₂ from the rich solution, the semi-lean solution having been extracted from a middle portion of the regeneration tower extracting semi-lean solution from a middle portion of the regeneration tower, heating extracted semi-lean solution with lean solution extracted from the regeneration tower, returning the extracted semi-lean solution that has been heated by the lean solution to the regeneration tower, and conveying the lean solution after heating the semi-lean solution to the absorption tower. 